Natural disasters

Natural disasters include such events as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and tsunamis. Often these events are unexpected, sudden and overwhelming.

Even when you’re not hurt physically, disasters can take a serious emotional toll. Normal reactions include intense, unpredictable feelings; flashbacks; trouble concentrating or making decisions; disrupted eating and sleeping patterns; emotional upsets on anniversaries or other reminders; strained personal relationships; and physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea or chest pain.

How Psychologists Help

Information about APA's response to the international disasters, including web-based psychological resources, aiding the United Nations, fielding media inquiries, and donating to the American Red Cross.

APA Offices and Programs

APA's Disaster Response Network is a group of approximately 2,500 licensed psychologists across the U.S. and Canada who have expertise in the psychological impact of disasters on individuals, families and communities. Informed by psychological research, Disaster Response Network members voluntarily engage in preparedness, response and recovery activities.

This statement is intended to orient psychologists to effective disaster response contributions. It is based on international guidelines for psychosocial intervention, on guidance from APA’s Disaster Response Network and its Committee on International Relations in Psychology.

APA's Council of Representatives has declared the development and implementation of a national strategy to prevent and treat the psychological dysfunction resulting from exposure of children and their families to disasters a matter of the highest priority, and supports the establishment of policies to maintain their psychological well-being.